The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-11-10
A BAG OF BONES.
The Discovery of the Remains of A. T.
Stewart.

New YORK, October 90.-The mys.
terry which has so long enveloped the
fate of the body of the millionaire dry
goods dealer, Alexander T. Stewart,
forms the subject of chapter in Super
intendent G. w. Walling's book, "The
Recollections of New York Chief of
Police" which is soon to be published.
The ex.superintendent processes to give
the only true story of the stealing of the
body, and so alleges that the body was
subsequently returned to representatives
of Judge Hilton.
The remains were buried in st. Marks
Churchyard, corner of Second avenue
and Tenth street, in al underground
vault, the entrance to which was covered
by a hagstone, which, in turn, was sod
ded over with the surrounding surface,
30 that there was no outward evidence Of
its location.
Judge Hilton had discovered evidences
that the vault had been tampered with,
and set a watch, but as nothing further
transpired, the watch was Withdrawn,
and three nights later, that is, on the
night of November 9Th, or the morn
ing of November 9TH, 1878, the vault
was broken open and the remairs stolen.
Judge Hilton was firmly of the opinion
that the sexton or his assistant had
guilty knowledge of the transaction, but
this was never known. The Judge at
once offered reward of s25,000 for the
return of the body and the conviction of
the grave robbers.
The first clew came from General Pat.
rick Jones, ex-postmaster of New York,
who notified Walling that an ex.soldier
Who had served under him claimed to
know something about the Stewart body,
and with proper encouragement would
give information leading to its recovery.
The superintendent submitted the offer
to Judge Hilton, who declared he would
never pay one cent for MIR. Stewards
bones unless they came accompanied by
the thieves in irons. General Jones was
persistent, and wanted to work the case
and arrange for burying the body. He
showed letters from the thieves, aud
few days later gave to the police pack
age expressed to him from Boston, con-
tanning coffin plate, which was identi.
fed by the epgraver who had done the
work. To complete their Identification,
the robbers sent a piece of paper that
fitted exactly the hole in the velvet cover
of the coffin cut out by the thieves when
the body was removed. This is now in
the hands of Sexton Hamill, and the
coffin plate is at police headquarters.
Judge Hilton remained unalterable and
the case was dropped by the authorities,
but continued by private detectives.
Mrs. Stewart differed with her counsel
and strongly wished to recover the body.
Learning this fact, the robbers opened
correspondence with her directly. No
trace of the body or thieves was found
until January, 1882, when General Jones
called at headquarters. He brought
with him a parcel which contained the
silver knobs and several of the handles
belonging to the cofiu in which the body
had been buried. He also showed some
letters which he had received. They
purported to have been written in
Canada, and were signed by "Henry g.
Romaine." With the first letter $500
bill was enclosed as retainer for him to
act as attorney for the return of the body
upon the payment of s25O,0OO. The let
ter then went on to tell the hour at
which the body was taken; how it was
inclosed in zinc lined trunk and taken
to Canada and buried. 1t is said the
features were perfectly preserved, except
the eyes. This was the letter which
inclosed the bit of paper corresponding
to the size of the hole in the velvet, and
promised, if further proof was required,
to send the coffin plate upon the inser-
ton in the New York Herald of these
words: "Canada-Send P. Counsel"
This was done, and under date of Bos.
ton, January 81, 1879, a letter came, say.
ing the plate was sent from there to avoid
the scrutiny of custom officials on The
Canadian border. The plate was receiv'
ed and identified. General Jones was
instructed, in case the relatives were
ready to negotiate for the remains, to
insert this personal in the Herald: "Can.
ada-Will do business. Counsel"
This was done at Judge Hilton's
request. The reply which came from
Boston on the 1lth of February set forth
the terms upon which the body would be
restored:
l. The amount to be paid shall be
100000.
2. The body will be delivered to your.
self and Judge Hilton within twenty y.five
miles of the city of Montreal, and no
other person shall be present.